From Opus

Photo by Clyde L.
Location: Central Louisiana, USA

Melospiza melodia

[edit] Identification

13-15 cm

• Medium-sized, long-tailed
• Short, rounded wings
• Bill size variable, often rather narrow and pointed
• Brown lateral crown-stripes and a grey, paler median stripe
• Greyish on the side of the head with brown stripes back from eye, along lower edge of ear-coverts and lateral throat stripe
• Distinct dark streaks below, on upper breast usually coalescing to form a small dark patch.

[edit] Distribution

The most widespread sparrow in North America. Summers in the southern provinces of Canada and along the coast into Alaska. Year-round in the 48 states, extending into northern Baja California and western mainland Mexico. Winters in the south-eastern states and northeastern Mexico.

[edit] Taxonomy

39 subspecies are recognized, with 14 in California alone.^[1]

Subspecies color variation. Photo by Gary Clark
Location: Patagonia Lake, Arizona, USA.

[edit] Habitat

Low, open, brushy areas and marshes, including salt marshes.

[edit] Behaviour

They forage on the ground, in shrubs or in very shallow water, sometimes in small flocks. The diet includes insects and seeds. Birds in salt marshes may also eat small crustaceans.

They nest either in a sheltered location on the ground or in trees or shrubs. 3-5 brown spotted greenish-white eggs are laid.

[edit] Vocalisation

Call - Burry chep
Song -Complicated series of trills and whistles. Much individual variation. Delivered from several prominent perches around the edge of male's territory.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.4.xls/view.

• List of references

[edit] External Links